2023 BMW 5 Series Sedan Performance

The BMW 5 Series has traditionally been used as a benchmark for others in the executive sedan market and has always brought the heat. The current G30 generation is impressive in the performance department, thanks to an excellent range of powertrains. The entry-level 530i is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers remarkable punch, even in a car that weighs around 4,000 pounds, and will get to 60 mph in a claimed 5.9 seconds before powering on to a top speed of 130 mph (or 155 mph with performance tires). The AWD 530i xDrive drops the 0 to 60 mph sprint time down to 5.8 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid uses the hybridized version of this powertrain to hustle to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds.

The 540i delivers even more impressive performance courtesy of a silky-smooth 3.0-liter inline-six engine and 48-volt mild-hybrid system under the hood. This drops the 0-60 mph time down to 4.9 seconds or 4.6 in the xDrive version. If it's significant muscle you're after, but you're not willing to spend big bucks on an M5, then the M550i is the way to go. Its powerful turbocharged V8 engine delivers 523 hp and will get you to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds.

There are a total of four engine options to choose from; from efficient and reasonably powerful to brutally potent in the case of the V8. The 5 Series starts with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 248 hp and 257 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear or all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual shift modes, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and launch control. This setup feels perky and offers enough punch to make the 5 Series feel lively in the city and on the highway while returning decent fuel economy.

The plug-in-hybrid models add electric power to the 2.0-liter inline-four for a total power output of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. Don't let the hybrid name fool you; this 5 Series likes to party and delivers impressive punch off the line. The XtraBoost feature adds another 40 hp in ten-second bursts for a proper surge forward.

The 540i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine and mild hybrid system for a total output of 335 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. This lovely-sounding engine has a seamless and smooth style of power delivery that is intoxicating and turns this executive sedan into a fantastic highway cruiser.

The M550i is the most potent of the lot, and its 4.4-liter turbocharged V8 delivers a serious 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. Power delivery in this trim is brutal, and the M550i delivers the same acceleration times as a 1995 Ferrari F50, but it's just as comfortable cruising on long road trips. We adore the eight-speed automatic transmission in the 5 Series. This transmission delivers clean and precise shifts when and where you want them, no matter what trim.

The fuel economy of the 2023 BMW 5 Series ranges from excellent to "pretty impressive for a turbocharged V8". According to the EPA, the most fuel-efficient 5 Series of the lot is the 530e, which will return a fantastic 64 MPGe or 26 mpg combined. The xDrive version sees those figures drop to 62 MPGe/25 mpg. Next in line is the RWD 530i, which will manage 25/33/28 mpg on the city/highway/combined circuit. The xDrive version will do 23/32/26 mpg, a small sacrifice to make for all-wheel drive.

The inline-six 540i will get gas mileage figures of 25/32/27 mpg, and its AWD mate will get 22/29/25 mpg. The most powerful of the lot, the M550i, will get 17/25/20 mpg if one behaves.

With an 18-gallon fuel tank, the RWD 530i should manage 504 miles on a full tank, while the M550i will reach around 360 miles on a tank. The hybrid versions get a smaller tank at 12.1 gallons and a 21-mile all-electric range for the RWD model (19 miles for the xDrive). Expect a total range of 340 miles for the 530e RWD and 320 miles from the xDrive.